REGINA - The new and improved Wascana Pool is set to open next week in Regina, promising new and inclusive features that all residents can enjoy.
Media got a preview of the pool in advance of that opening. City officials noted the accessibility features are what stand out about this $16.4 million renewal project, which had been under constructing over the past two years.
The features of the newly-renewed pool include the following:
Visitors will enter through a gate designed to feature the artistic renderings of Larissa Kitchemonia, a local Anishnaabe-Saulteaux artist from Key First Nation, meant to represent the area and how the pool came to be.
Inside is the main building, which has solar panels located on top of the structure — one of the many sustainability features of the new facility. It includes a gender-neutral change area with accessibility features. It includes Braille signage, as well as additional and dedicated spaces for those living with disabilities.
The facility utilized as much local material as possible and includes a wood ceiling made out of pine trees that had stood in the location before. The city had removed 67 pine trees to make room, which was two fewer than was originally planned.
Coming out of the change area is the leisure tank, which includes a ramp with a handrail and lift so those with disabilities could enjoy that area. It also includes an area for swim lessons, a basketball hoop, a lazy river and other features.
To the west are two waterslides both nine meters tall - one blue and the other orange. One is an enclosed slide that will move at 34 km an hour, and the other an open slide that will move at 30 km an hour.
The plan is to build an elevator-lift so that the slide will be fully accessible. That will be in place by 2025.
Further to the east is the hot tub, which includes therapy sprays as well so you can get a shoulder massage.
To the south is a 25 m lane pool with 10 lanes which can also be access by ramp. There is a one metre and three metre diving board, and also a climbing wall.
Outside the fence is a spray pad, which will be open during the second week of June, as well as a playground area which also includes accessible features such as on the swings.
Coming back to the facility, there is a multipurpose room that can be rented out and also used for programming. There will also be a concession area operated by The Bannock House to serve patrons of the pool and the surrounding park.
A picnic area is nearby, and there are also two sunbathing areas.
Eric de Waal, Senior Project Manager and City Centre Precinct Captain for City of Regina, pointed to some lessons learned from previous pool projects which they incorporated into this one.
“We had the luxury of building Maple Leaf (Pool) before we built this. And our lessons through that process at Maple Leaf really did help us in this build. We were able to make sure that things like ramps into all of the pools was there, but there’s also the subtle things like the low fence around the playground, as well as just Braille in areas that you wouldn’t normally expect it, like locker tags. If you’re in locker 73 and you’re visually impaired and you can’t find that, you’re going to be in trouble. So lots of little details like that were sort of incorporated based on the lessons for Maple Leaf, and with our engagement with our stakeholders.”
The City has also pointed to the sustainability features included in the project such as a regenerative pool water filtration system, a high-efficiency water heating plant, as well as the recirculating spray pad which is a first for the City.
Bobbie Selinger, Manager of Community and Recreation Programs, told reporters they are looking to welcome people to the pool on June 8. They will be offering lane swimming all day and leisure swimming starting at 12 noon. There are also plans for a $5 family swim, and there are free swims being offered on Tuesday evenings and Friday mornings.
Hours of operation are 7 a.m. – 8 p.m. daily until Sept. 4, and then from Sept. 5-17 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. daily. While June 8 will the the first day of operations, the Grand Opening party is planned for June 15 from 2:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., complete with DJ music, draw prizes and a complementary treat to be provided while quantities last.
